LEIGH Miners Rangers open age have announced their new men's senior coaching team as preparations for 2017 begin apace. Following the departure of Allan Coleman as head coach and assistants Stuart Pugsley and Simon Travis, and the Alliance coaching changes as Mick Blakeley and Chris Snape also step down, the club have appointed Jason Seddon as head coach.

Jason has a wealth of experience in local youth rugby including time with the professional club academy and in the running of the North West Counties youth and through his links to University of Central Lancashire he is implementing a new conditioning, fitness and skills programme which will take full advantage of the university’s knowledge and resources on and off the playing field.

Working within Jason’s team, under-18s coaches Simon and Tim Hartley remain as they look to build on the success of the youth last season after securing the NW Premier Two league title. Senior players Dave Rowland and Tom Farrimond will take on coaching roles within the structure, both already well-respected coaches at the LMR Academy in addition to their open age playing.

Tom Wood, a valuable part of the coaching team last season and with his links to Leigh Centurions, remains as part of the team alongside last season’s Alliance team player-coach Dale Allred.

A new addition to the squad is professional player Alex Davison, the former Salford junior now plying his trade in the Championship will be particularly focusing upon the strength and conditioning side of training. The players will be having their first meeting with the new coaches this weekend as pre-season plans are outlined.

Meanwhile the club thanks women’s team coach Cliff Tamou, who led the ladies to three finals and the Division One Grand Final win in 2016. Work commitments mean Cliff has to step aside from the role and an announcement on his replacement will be made in due course.

The end of season presentations take place on Saturday 3 December, 7.30pm start.